The Masters at Augusta National and the flood of Vermont sunshine have combined to give local golfers the urge to visit tees and greens.

Daydreams of long, straight drives soaring gently out of sight will come to an abrupt end on Friday, May 9, when real drives dribble off the tee or pull violently into the rough, and putts refuse to fall.

The BlueCross BlueShield Chamber Challenge injects a tough dose of reality. The first-of-the-season tournament at the Country Club of Barre, brings the pre-season vision of grandeur to the reality that a long, hard winter has encased the backswing in rust.

With 16 teams registering early and another dozen in the process of checking schedules and foursomes, a large field is anticipated for the 21st annual event.

Northstar Fireworks and Cody Chevrolet are sponsoring registration gifts and the hole-in-one prize. Robert Cody is eager to see someone score an ace and leave with a new Chevy vehicle. “We’d be delighted to see a winner,” Cody said.

David Swenson said he enjoys the tournament and everyone is a winner.

“It’s a great excuse to get outdoors,” he added.

Last year’s winning foursome included two of the youngest golfers to ever play the tournament. Cody and Dillon Sleeper carried their father and Bill Patno to victory. It was a great day for brothers as Chad and Clay Bell were part of the Northfield Investments winning low net team, and John and Steve Connor helped Casella capture second low net.

Serious golfers and duffers often bear striking similarities early in the season. Time and rust are great equalizers. Add in some hefty handicaps, a little luck, and anything can happen in the best ball, scramble format.

A little luck can be even more rewarding in the run-up to the golf outing.

On Wednesday, April 23, the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner and drawing at the Canadian Club. There everyone enjoys a nice meal and plenty of good cheer, but only one person leaves with the grand prize.

Chamber directors and volunteers are selling just 150 tickets to the dinner and drawing. A dozen ticket holders will win $150 to $500, but only one will find the evening worth $4,000.

Honorary Life Member Marion Milne will be the top salesperson for the 32nd time 32 years. She launched the event in 1983 and has been an integral part of its success ever since.

Proceeds enabled the Chamber to accumulate the funds for a down payment on its Berlin office complex and later expansion. The site was named “Beaulieu Place” for the late Lorraine Beaulieu, a 40-year employee and anchor for the organization following the merger of the Barre and Montpelier chambers of commerce.

Additional information on either event can be obtained by calling the chamber office at 229-5711 or by visiting central-vt.com/golf14.pdf or central-vt.com/raffle14.pdf on the web.

George Malek is executive director of the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce.